❓ Mr. Bolt questions the Housing and Works portfolio regarding social housing waitlist numbers. The response provides data on application numbers, priority cases, wait times, and transfer requests as of May 31, 2025, while also noting data limitations due to potential double counting.
AnsweredQoN 565Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the social housing waitlist number referenced in Estimates, and I ask: (a) What is the current number of applicants on the waitlist: (i) Does the Department know the total number of people this represents, i.e.. accounting for couples and families; (b) How many of these are listed as priority; (c) What is the current average wait time for both the priority and standard waitlist; and (d) How many approved transfer requests are in the system: (i) What is the average wait for a transfer?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
6 days
It should be noted the majority of applicants for public housing are housed while they are on the waitlist. The below data is as at 31 May 2025, given numbers referenced in Estimates were provided as at that date.
a) 22,315 applications
i. Double counting is present as part of the waitlist’s composition, given that an individual may be listed as a householder on more than one application at any one time; it does not form part of regular verified reporting. Examples include when there are householders who are listed on multiple applications or children who may be counted as householders on the applications of each of their caregivers. It is not possible to confirm the extent of double counting without a manual review of individual files
b) 7,291 priority applications
c) 92 weeks for the priority waitlist and 156 weeks for the standard waitlist.
d) 2,856 applications
i. 86 weeks.
a) 22,315 applications
i. Double counting is present as part of the waitlist’s composition, given that an individual may be listed as a householder on more than one application at any one time; it does not form part of regular verified reporting. Examples include when there are householders who are listed on multiple applications or children who may be counted as householders on the applications of each of their caregivers. It is not possible to confirm the extent of double counting without a manual review of individual files
b) 7,291 priority applications
c) 92 weeks for the priority waitlist and 156 weeks for the standard waitlist.
d) 2,856 applications
i. 86 weeks.
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